Sunday, November 13, 2005

More on politicization of police

"...the manner in which the campaign was conducted in recent days is unprecedented and raises profound questions about the relationship between policing and party politics.

The former deputy chief constable of Nottinghamshire, Tom Williamson, said he was surprised that the Met's Andy Hayman had met a group of wavering Labour MPs at the Commons in the presence of the home secretary and one of his ministers.

"This was stepping over the line which should divide the police from politicians," he said. "

But other developments this year have also caused disquiet. Comments on terrorism made by Met Commissioner Sir Ian Blair during the general election campaign led to accusations that he was espousing a government line. And the Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire, Steve Green, was criticised for writing a national newspaper article during the campaign complaining about a lack of resources.

Privately, some chief constables believe they are under greater political pressure than ever before as Britain moves steadily closer to a national police force.

Twenty years ago, the police were castigated for getting too close to the government of the day in their handling of the miners' strike. A number of senior officers argued that that should never be allowed to happen again."BBC

"Charles Kennedy has said Met Police chief Sir Ian Blair "overstepped the mark" with his support for proposals to hold terrorist suspects for 90 days.

"When the chief of the Metropolitan Police takes such a high profile...over a specific amendment to a piece of legislation questions have to be asked". He said Sir Ian Blair should appear before a Commons Select Committee to explain what happened in the run-up to the vote.

"When the chief of the Metropolitan Police takes such a high profile, as he did, over a specific amendment to a piece of government legislation questions have to be asked, I think it's overstepping the mark"

The Tories have called for an inquiry into alleged lobbying of MPs by chief constables in the days before the vote. [..] Michael Howard has asked the prime minister if police need authorisation from the home secretary before appearing in the media. The letter came in response to remarks made by Mr Reid on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Saturday, which appeared to suggest that every interview now needed specific approval."BBC